Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Sharon Advik
Bird photography is a hobby that’s been around since the invention of photography itself.
It’s been popularized in the last few decades by the popularity of cheap digital cameras, which allow anyone to capture pictures of birds in their natural habitat without spending thousands on a high-end camera and lens.
The best way to capture great bird photos is to get close!
The farther you are from your subject, the more difficult it is to get a good shot.
When you’re up close and personal with your subject, you can take advantage of the tiny details that make up the whole picture: coloration, posture, and texture.
You’ll need patience and lots of trial and error before you get your shot right, but it’ll be amazing once you do!
I have always been fascinated by watching birds!
I have a vast collection of bird books and enjoy watching documentaries on the National Geographic channel.
When I was younger, I would spend hours outside just sitting quietly and waiting for some birds to come by so that I could see them up close!
It developed my interest in clicking their pictures in the most realistic ways!
So, I hopped onto the bandwagon, purchased many cameras in my budget, and started clicking away!
I was so excited about the results that I shared them with my friends and family.
They were amazed by the quality of my pictures, especially since you took them in such difficult conditions.
So, let me share with you some of the best cheap cameras for bird photography that I have used!
Which are the Best cheap camera for bird photography?
Here are my recommended top 8 Best cheap camera for bird photography:-
Panasonic Lumix FZ80: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
I decided to get into bird photography while living in South Wales.
I have always been interested in birds but have yet to research them.
I would see an interesting bird and take a picture, but I didn’t learn anything about them.
I used my phone for most of the pictures I took of birds, and then I got a new phone that could zoom in on things better than my old phone.
After using this new phone for a while, I started thinking about getting a camera that would allow me to take better pictures of birds because my current phone wasn’t doing the job well enough.
I researched cameras online and found out what kind of camera would work best for what I wanted to do with it: bird photography.
After reading reviews on different cameras, I decided the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 would be best for me.
I could take good pictures from far away without using a tripod or standing somewhere else where there might not be any good spots nearby.
Features:
- 18MP – 1/2.3 BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO 80 – 3200( expands to 6400)
- 20-1200 mm F2.8-5.9 Zoom Lens
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fixed Type Screen
- 1166k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 10.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 616g. 130 x 94 x 119 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed
The specs of this camera are incredible: it has an ISO range from 80-3200 (that’s 6400 when shooting in RAW), which means that you can plug in almost any light condition without getting grainy photos or having to use flash.
It also has a breakneck shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second!
The bonus?
It’s small enough to take it anywhere with me but big enough to fit my hand comfortably when holding it up to take photos.
Aperture/Field Of View
One of the things that I love about this camera is its wide-angle lens.
When taking pictures of birds, I need to get as much of the bird in my shot as possible.
With this camera, I can quickly get close to my subject without zooming in or out, giving me more freedom when composing my photographs.
I discovered that my camera’s aperture/field of view was f/3-5.9 at a wide angle and f/5.9-8 at a telephoto (35mm equivalent).
It helped me in doing bird photography in South Wales because I could capture images with a wide aperture, which would make sure that the background was blurred out and there were fewer distractions in the picture.
White Balance/ Frame Rate
But The thing that made this camera stand out was its white balance and frame rate.
The white balance lets you set the perfect tone for your photos so you don’t end up with yellow or blue-looking shots.
And the frame rate means you can capture birds flying at high speeds and still get sharp images of them!
The white balance on my camera is automatic.
I found out that the frame rate of my camera is three frames per second, which is more than enough for me to capture a bird in flight.
It was important because if I had a lower frame rate, it would have been more challenging to get a sharp image of my subject as they were moving through the air.
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is the best because it has everything I need to be able to capture birds in flight.
The first reason this is the best camera for me is its large sensor, meaning it can take high-quality images without any noise or blurriness.
Conclusion
It will not be wrong to say that it is the best cheap camera for bird photography as it has all the features and specifications required to take high-quality images.
I recommend this camera to those looking for a good camera that you can use for bird photography and other types of photography.
So, buy it now!
Canon PowerShot SX70 HS: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
I started going out every day to try to capture the beautiful birds that were always around me.
It was not easy at first because they are swift, and taking a photo of them is hard if you are unprepared.
However, after a few weeks, I got the hang of it and enjoyed taking pictures of these beautiful creatures daily.
Nowadays, when I go out to take photos of birds, people ask me what kind of camera I use.
And when they see my answer is SX70 HS, they are surprised because they think only professionals can use high-end cameras like this one, but that is not true!
Anyone can use this fantastic device, even if you are a beginner!
It is straightforward and has many features to help you take beautiful photos.
I highly recommend this camera to anyone who loves taking pictures of birds and other wildlife.
Features:
- 20MP – 1/2.3 BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 3200
- 21-1365 mm F3.4-6.5 Zoom Lens
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen
- 2360k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 10.0fps continuous shooting
- 4k at 30fps and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 608g. 127 x 91 x 117 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed
I knew the camera had an ISO range of 100-3200 and a shutter speed range of 30-1/2000 seconds, which would be great for capturing birds in flight.
But when I got there, I realized that it didn’t matter how much light came into the lens—the birds would never sit still long enough for me to get them in focus.
That’s when I realized that my camera’s specs weren’t the only thing that mattered—not even close! It was up to me (and my lens) to make sure we got those shots!
Aperture/Field Of View
It has an aperture of f/11 and a zoom range of 5x optical.
It also has a visual image stabilizer (OIS) and a 24mm wide-angle lens.
These specs allowed me to get close enough to birds without scaring them away while still allowing me to focus on them without moving around too much.
Since we were in an area with many trees and brush, it was often difficult for me to get clear shots because they would cast shadows over the birds’ faces or bodies.
But with the OIS on my camera enabled, I solved those problems!
I captured some beautiful photos of birds from far away and up close—and everything in between!
White Balance/ Frame Rate
As we walked through the park, I noticed that some of my photos looked like they had a blue or green tint.
I didn’t set my outdoor photography camera to the correct white balance.
This camera’s frame rate is also very fast—it can take up to 10 photos per second in burst mode!
It is excellent for catching moments that I would otherwise miss.
Since we were in an area with many trees and brush, it was often difficult for me to get clear shots because they would cast shadows over the birds’ faces or bodies.
But with the OIS on my camera enabled, I solved those problems!
Why is this camera the best?
It is a very versatile camera.
It can take great photos in low light and outdoors with lots of sunshine.
The autofocus on this camera is fantastic—it keeps up with my kids when they’re running around!
I love that it has Wi-Fi to quickly send pictures to my phone or print them out at home.
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it has a long battery life and is easy to use.
The camera is also lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to take with you anywhere.
This camera is also great for people who are just starting with photography because of the many features that come with it.
So, buy it now!
Nikon D3300: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
I went to San Francisco for the first time in late December, and I couldn’t believe how many birds there were.
I was so excited but also nervous about how I would capture all of them!
I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get as many photos as I wanted!
The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with only a few shots of all the beautiful birds.
I had heard about Nikon’s D3300 camera from a friend, who told me it’s perfect for bird photography.
After doing some research online and reading reviews, I decided it would be my next choice for bird photography—and it didn’t disappoint!
Features:
- 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 100 – 12800( expands to 25600)
- 3.00″ Fixed Type Screen
- Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder
- 5.0fps continuous shooting
- 430g. 124 x 98 x 76 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed
The ISO range on this camera is fantastic!
You can go as high as 12800 without much noise.
I captured some stunning bird photos at a high shutter speed with little to no blurriness.
The only thing that makes me nervous about this is that some of my friends have said they’ve had issues with other Nikon cameras and their lenses fogging up when shooting in cold weather—so we’ll see how it goes!
Aperture/Field Of View
It has an aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and can shoot at a field of view of 24 mm-84 mm.
That meant that if I wanted to get close-up shots without scaring off my subjects, I’d have to be careful about how close I got—but if I wanted more wide-angle shots, then I could try moving back a bit further away from the bird so that it would fill more of my frame.
This knowledge helped me take great photos of birds in San Francisco!
White Balance/ Frame Rate
It has a white balance of Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Shade and can shoot at a frame rate of 3fps.
It was helpful for me because I didn’t have to worry about adjusting the camera settings every time we went outside—I set my white balance to Auto and let the camera handle the rest!
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is the best because it’s compact and easy to carry.
The case is minimal and easy to store, but open it up when you want to take pictures and start snapping away!
It has a great battery life and takes fantastic photos—I highly recommend this product if you want something affordable yet powerful.
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it has the best features and is easy to use.
It’s affordable, too!
If you’re looking for a portable camera that can take some great shots, this one is worth looking at.
So, buy it now!
Canon EOS Rebel T7: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
My mom used to tell me that we could all be like birds if it weren’t for our bills.
She said that if you didn’t have to worry about paying your rent, buying food, or paying for school, you could fly away from everything and live in a tree somewhere.
But I don’t know—she was trying to make me feel better about being stuck here on this Earth with my bills and responsibilities.
Maybe I would fly away from everything if I had unlimited funds and no obligations.
So when I visited my cousin in the village near San Francisco recently, I decided that this would be the time for me to get closer to nature and finally learn how to take pictures of birds without them flying away before I could snap a photo!
I knew that Canon EOS Rebel T7 was the right camera for me since it was affordable yet durable for outdoor use.
Features:
- 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 6400( expands to 12800)
- 3.00″ Fixed Type Screen
- Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder
- 3.0fps continuous shooting
- FHD at 30fps and HD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 475g. 129 x 101 x 78 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed
It had all the features I sought, including a 24-megapixel sensor, an ISO range of up to 12800 (higher than most cameras), and a 9-point autofocus system.
The only thing it didn’t have was Wi-Fi or GPS capabilities; those are optional for what I wanted to do with this camera anyway.
Its shutter speed range is 4 seconds – 1/4000, which is plenty for most situations.
It also has a 3.0-inch screen that can tilt up and down, making it easy to see what you’re shooting without looking through the viewfinder all the time.
After reading about these specs on Amazon, I bought one from Best Buy—and have never looked back!
The camera has helped me capture some fantastic bird photos over the past year—including one of an American Robin perched on top of our garbage can outside our house!
Aperture/Field Of View
The lens that comes with the camera is 35mm f/2.8, which is excellent for taking photos of birds in trees and other small spaces.
It has an aperture range of f/2.8-22 and a field of view of 50 degrees (horizontal) x 40 degrees (vertical).
That means you can shoot closer distances without worrying about losing focus on your target because it will still look sharp—or you can use it to take photos of birds that are further away and still get a good shot!
White Balance/ Frame Rate
The white balance on the camera is automatic, which means it will adjust to different lighting conditions.
It has a frame rate of 60fps (frames per second), meaning you can capture video of birds in flight without worrying about losing them because they’ll still be in focus!
Why is this camera the best?
You can use it to take photos of further away birds and still get a good shot!
The white balance on this camera is automatic, which means it will adjust to different lighting conditions.
It has a frame rate of 60fps (frames per second), meaning you can capture video of birds in flight without worrying about losing them because they’ll still be in focus!
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it is easy to use and has many features that make it great for beginners.
You can use the camera to take photos or videos, and the quality of your shots will be excellent overall!
So, buy it now!
Sony a6400: (The best cheap camera for bird photography)
I was so amazed by the beauty of nature that I couldn’t stop myself from taking pictures of everything around me.
The place had numerous beautiful birds and other animals, making it even more enjoyable.
I stayed there for two more days and took fantastic pictures of different types of birds.
Later, when I returned home, I realized that most of them were blurry because I was using my old camera, which did not have a suitable sensor or lens quality.
So then I decided to buy a new camera for myself which would help me take better pictures of birds and other animals too!
After doing some research online and talking with my friends who are also photographers, I decided to buy Sony’s A6400 because it has all the features that every photographer requires in their camera.
Features:
- 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 32000( expands to 102400)
- 3.00″ Tilting Screen
- 2359k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 11.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 403g. 120 x 67 x 50 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed
The camera provides an ISO range from 100-32000(extendable to 102400), giving me enough flexibility to shoot in lower light without sacrificing quality or detail.
The camera also has a fantastic shutter speed range of 30 seconds to 1/32000th of a second, allowing me to take photos even when the sun is at its peak!
The camera provides a tilting screen that makes it easy to shoot from any angle I want while still getting a clear view of what I am capturing.
The camera has a valuable electronic viewfinder in bright sunlight and outdoor shooting.
Aperture/Field Of View
The camera has an aperture range of f/1.8-f/16, allowing me to adjust the depth of field and control how much of the image is in focus.
The camera also provides a broad-angle view (24mm), making it easy to capture more in one shot without moving around too much.
White Balance/ Frame Rate
The camera allows me to adjust the white balance, essential for capturing accurate colors.
I also like the high frame rate (60 fps) because it lets me capture things moving quickly and smoothly without worrying about missing a shot.
Why is this camera the best?
The compact camera makes it easy to carry around and use.
The camera’s design allows me to hold it comfortably while shooting, and the touchscreen makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
The screen also has a high resolution (2.7k), allowing me to see details clearly in any situation.
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it is compact, has a high frame rate, and has a high-resolution screen.
The camera is also easy to use and has excellent battery life.
So, buy it now!
Nikon D500: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
When I decided to take a break from my life and travel to Chicago for the first time, I knew I would have to make serious compromises.
I had just finished reading about the Nikon D500 on the internet, and it was the perfect camera for me.
I was also excited about the possibility of taking photographs around Chicago.
It’s such a beautiful place! And I wanted to capture as much of it as possible while I was there.
I saw hundreds of birds flying above me.
I was excited to see them but was also a little disappointed that none landed on any branches or trees near where I stood.
It seemed like there were no birds in this area at all!
Then, just as I was about to give up and return home, something unique happened: A beautiful blue-and-yellow bird landed on a branch in front of me.
When I arrived in Chicago, I took it out and started snapping pictures immediately.
The views were incredible—crisp and clear, even from far away or at night.
Features:
- 21MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 100 – 51200( expands to 50 – 1640000)
- 3.20″ Tilting Screen
- Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
- 10.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 860g. 147 x 115 x 81 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed
The first thing that struck me about using this camera was how much easier it made taking pictures in low light conditions.
The higher ISO allowed me to take photos without using flash, which means less chance of scaring away the birds!
It’s got an ISO range from 100 to 51,200 and a shutter speed range from 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second.
It also has a continuous shooting speed of up to 15 fps—that means it can snap 15 photos in one second!
Aperture/Field Of View
The lens has an aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.6, which means it’s a fast lens that lets in a lot of light—perfect for bird photography.
The field of view is equivalent to 34 degrees, so you can get up close and personal with your subjects without feeling like they will fly away!
White Balance/ Frame Rate
The camera has a 2000 to 10,000K white balance range and an autofocus system that can track moving objects.
The frame rate is 30 fps at 720p and 60 fps at 1080p.
These features are beneficial when capturing an image of something moving fast—like birds!
This camera has many great features that make it perfect for bird photography.
It’s lightweight, easy to use, and comes with multiple lenses.
It also has a large screen that makes it easy to see what you’re shooting.
Why is this camera the best?
It’s the perfect camera for bird photography.
It has a wide lens and can be mounted on a tripod to get great shots of your feathered friends.
This camera is excellent for bird photography because it has a wide lens and can be mounted on a tripod.
The screen is large enough so you can see what you’re shooting but not too big that it weighs down the camera.
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it has a fast frame rate for flying birds.
It also has a large screen, so you can see what you’re shooting without squinting at the tiny viewfinder.
The camera is lightweight and easy to carry in your pocket or purse.
Because it’s so small, this camera would be great for taking pictures of birds in your backyard or walking through the woods.
So, buy it now!
Nikon D7500: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
Now I realized that I needed some special equipment if I wanted to be able to take good pictures of birds without scaring them away.
So, I started looking for a new camera that could capture more detail than I had used previously (which only took blurry shots).
After researching online, I decided on the Nikon 7500 because it was lightweight and easy to use; plus, it had several different modes for taking photos in different situations, like low or bright light!
So far, this has worked great for me – no more running after birds, trying to get them into focus before they fly away!
Features:
- 21MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 100 – 51200( expands to 50 – 1640000)
- 3.20″ Tilting Screen
- Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
- 8.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 720g. 136 x 104 x 73 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed
It has a great range of ISO settings, including shooting up to 51200 if needed.
That means that no matter your lighting situation, you can find an appropriate location for your photograph!
When shooting in low light conditions, I found that 250 – 800 was usually enough for my needs, but sometimes I needed more.
The shutter speed is also great on the camera, with a range of 60-1/8000th of a second.
Aperture/Field Of View
One day I took some photos of birds at an outdoor market with a wide-angle lens (F/4) and then, later that night, tried again with a telephoto lens (F/5.6).
The pictures with the wide-angle lens were blurry because there was too much movement from people around me at the market; however, with the telephoto lens, I could get some clear shots of birds flying around!
White Balance/ Frame Rate
The white balance on the camera is excellent, especially when shooting in manual mode.
There are also a lot of frame rates to choose from depending on what type of shot you are taking.
Suppose you want more flexibility with how your video looks.
Use one standard frame rate (24p/25p/30p).
Otherwise, use one of the other modes to ensure everything looks smooth and professional.
Why is this camera the best?
The best thing about this camera is its many features and options.
You can use it in manual mode and still get good shots if you start with photography; however, I recommend using a different camera for beginners.
If you have some photography experience, then go ahead and pick up this one! It’s great because it has everything.
Conclusion
It is the best cheap camera for bird photography because it has everything you need.
It’s also very affordable, so it will stay in the bank when you purchase it.
It is an excellent camera for beginners and pros alike who want to get some good shots of birds!
So, buy it now!
Nikon COOLPIX P900: (Best cheap camera for bird photography)
When I started looking for a new camera, Nikon COOLPIX P900 was at the top of my list.
Many people think you need an expensive camera to take good pictures, but this is not true.
The most important aspect of taking photos is your eye for composition and lighting.
It has both of these things: a fantastic zoom lens and excellent low-light performance—two things that are essential for creating great bird photography!
I have used this camera extensively in Chicago, where there are many beautiful birds, such as bluejays and cardinals!
Features:
- 16MP – 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 6400( expands to 12800)
- 24-2000 mm F2.8-6.5 Zoom Lens
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen
- 921k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 7.0fps continuous shooting
- and FHD at 60fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- Built-in GPS
- 899g. 140 x 103 x 137 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed
The camera’s ISO goes up to 12800, and its shutter speed can go as fast as 1/16000 of a second to take crisp pictures even in dim light.
That can be useful when trying to get a photo of birds at night—like I did on my vacation in Chicago!
I got fantastic shots of the birds flying around at night because I had such good specs for low-light situations.
Aperture/Field Of View
The lens has an aperture of f/2.8 and a field of view of 98 degrees.
That means you’ll be able to take wide shots that capture the entire scene in front of you!
And if you’re trying to take pictures of something far away—like the Chicago skyline at night—the wide angle will help so that everything looks as crisp as possible.
White Balance/ Frame Rate
The lens has a white balance of 4000K and a frame rate of 30 FPS.
That means you’ll be able to take clear, crisp shots that look as good as possible.
And if you’re trying to take pictures of something fast-moving—like birds flying around in the sky!
The high frame rate will help make everything look as crisp as possible.
And if you’re trying to take pictures of something fast-moving—like birds flying around in the sky!
—the high frame rate will help make everything look as crisp as possible.
Why is this camera the best?
Because it’s so versatile! You can use it for so many different things, and the quality of your pictures will be incredible.
It’s also great for beginners because it is easy to figure out how to use all its features and how affordable it is!
Conclusion
It is the best cheap bird photography camera because it is versatile and easy to use.
It has excellent quality but comes at a price that will leave you with plenty of money left over for other things.
And if you want to take pictures of something fast-moving—like birds flying around in the sky!
—the high frame rate will help make everything look as crisp as possible.
So, buy it now!
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which is your Best cheap camera for bird photography?
Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
Related post:
Best cameras for bird photography:
Best Canon Cameras for Bird Photography:
I am a Professional and Certified Digital Photographer born in the USA. I have been in this field of photography for 22 years, and in these years, I have used many photography lenses and Cameras, which I want to share here on this website about my experience. The idea for Bestoflens.com is to provide honest information about different Lenses and Camera products in the format of a “Best lenses for AYZ” list. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best Cameras and lenses to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Bestoflens.